5.12.2018: Over the past two weeks…

(4/12) Managing Migration: Commission calls time on asylum reform stalling. Ahead of the December European Council, the Commission is calling on Member States and the European Parliament to consolidate the significant progress made by adopting the outstanding reform proposals. The EU’s comprehensive approach on migration is delivering on all fronts: deeper cooperation with partner countries; better-protected external borders; and more effective tools to manage migration inside the EU. With irregular arrivals down to pre-crisis levels, now is the time to address remaining weaknesses. Work needs to continue at operational level, both externally and internally, and Member States and the European Parliament should swiftly complete the EU’s asylum reform and in particular adopt the 5 proposals where there is broad political agreement before next year’s European Parliamentary elections. Full press release here.

(29/11) EU Report: reinforcing the strong and solid EU-Jordan partnership. The EU and Jordan built and consolidated a strong and solid partnership via broad and intensive cooperation on multilateral, regional and bilateral issues. This is the conclusion drawn by a report released today on the partnership between the EU and Jordan for the period from May 2017 to May 2018. High Representative/Vice-President, Federica Mogherini said: “Jordan is a strong partner for the EU, bilaterally and on the regional scene. It plays a vital role in the region and we value enormously the unique wisdom and balance the country and its people show. We have always been supporting them, including their internal, domestic work, with all possible means at our disposal, including economic and financial means. And we will continue to be at their side.” Full press release here.

(29/11) EU provides humanitarian aid for refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. The European Commission has allocated an additional €500,000 to continue assisting the most vulnerable refugees and migrants in Bosnia and Herzegovina. This additional funding brings EU humanitarian assistance in the Western Balkans to €31 million since the start of the refugee crisis in 2015, including €2 million for Bosnia and Herzegovina in 2018. “Refugees and migrants continue to arrive in Bosnia and Herzegovina and the EU is committed to provide humanitarian assistance to those in need, supporting the efforts of national and local authorities. Our humanitarian aid will provide food, water, emergency shelter, sanitation, health care and warm clothing” said Christos Stylianides, Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management. EU’s humanitarian assistance is provided in locations such as Bihac, Velika Kladusa and Sarajevo. Full press release here.

(27/11) EU steps up support to displaced and crisis-affected communities in Yemen. The European Union has adopted a €30 million programme in support of vulnerable communities suffering the effects of prolonged displacement in Yemen. This brings the total EU development assistance to Yemen in 2018 to €71 million. This longer-term support aims to preserve the social fabric, provide increased livelihood opportunities and enhance food and nutrition security. The overall EU commitment in support to resilience and development in Yemen now stands at €244 million since the start of the conflict in 2015. The package will address the urgent needs of internally displaced populations and vulnerable host communities in Yemen by providing basic services in health, education, protection and legal counselling. It will also help build the capacities of local institutions responsible for monitoring population flows. Full text release here.

(27/11) New report provides further evidence of link between trade and jobs. The European Commission today published a report entitled, “EU exports to the world: effects on employment and income”. The report covers the period from 2000 to 2017 – the latest figures available. Full summary here.

(26/11) European Commission survey shows citizens worry about interference ahead of the European elections. The European Commission dedicates its annual Fundamental Rights Colloquium to “Democracy in the EU” at a time when Europeans worry about interference in elections. A new Eurobarometer survey published today sheds light on the expectations of Europeans for the May 2019 European elections and what would motivate them to cast their vote. It also shows that a majority of EU citizens are worried that disinformation campaigns, data breaches and cyberattacks will interfere with electoral processes. The 2018 annual Colloquium on Fundamental Rights is bringing together politicians, researchers, journalists, NGOs and activists to to discuss how to make our democracies more resilient and inclusive, how to support civil society and better safeguard free and fair elections. Full press release here.

(23/11) EU steps up humanitarian support in Sudan. As millions of people continue to be in need of humanitarian assistance in Sudan, the Commission has announced an additional €18 million in emergency aid. This brings total EU humanitarian funding in Sudan for 2018 to €41 million. “The EU is committed to help people in need in Sudan. Our new funding will get emergency aid to those displaced by conflict and deliver nutrition treatment for malnourished children. We will also support humanitarian air services, so that aid can reach people in areas which are difficult to access.” said Commissioner for Humanitarian Aid and Crisis Management Christos Stylianides. Sudan is experiencing a highly complex humanitarian crisis driven by conflict, forced displacement, food insecurity and undernutrition. Millions of people are internally displaced while Sudan also hosts more than 900,000 refugees. Most of the refugees are South Sudanese who have fled conflict and famine. In close collaboration with its humanitarian partners, the EU is assisting thousands of forcibly displaced people and refugees while also supporting the fight against malnutrition and addressing the impact of natural disasters such as floods and droughts. Full press release here.

(21/11) European Semester Autumn Package: Bolstering inclusive and sustainable growth. Commission sets out EU’s economic and social priorities for 2019, presents Opinions on Draft Budgetary Plans and confirms the existence of particularly serious non-compliance with the Stability and Growth Pact in the case of Italy; Greece is integrated into the European Semester for the first time. Full press release here. Factsheet and infographics here.

(19/11) EU Trust Fund for Africa: five new programmes adopted for the Sahel and Lake Chad region. Commissioner for International Cooperation and Development Neven Mimica said: “Our new EU programmes, worth €141 million, are particularly focusing on important opportunities for young people. They will furthermore support our G5 Sahel partners to strengthen development and stability in border areas, as well as help us to save more lives and fight human traffickers, who take advantage of vulnerable people’s despair. We also continue our actions to support partner countries to better manage migration and to develop civil registries. Those needs do not decrease, and the resources from the EU Trust Fund are quickly depleting”. At the regional level, two programmes totalling €75 million will seek to shore up stability and youth participation in the G5 Sahel countries (Burkina Faso, Chad, Mali, Mauritania and Niger). A new €70 million Emergency programme will increase people’s access to social services in border areas. The programme was designed under the Sahel Alliance and responds directly to the needs voiced by the G5 Sahel countries under the Priority Investment Programme. Another €5 million will ensure the implementation of the second phase of “The Voices of young people in the Sahel” programme, which was launched in 2017 and contributes to integrating youth organisations into the processes of designing and implementing development and social policies. Full press release here.

(15/11) EU–South Africa Summit: Strengthening the Strategic Partnership. At the 7th European Union–South Africa Summit held in Brussels today Leaders agreed on a number of steps to reinforce bilateral and regional relations, focusing on the implementation of the EU-South Africa Strategic Partnership. This includes economic and trade cooperation and pursuing the improvement of business climate and opportunities for investment and job creation which are of mutual interest. Leaders also discussed common global challenges, such as climate change, migration, human rights, committing to pursue close cooperation both at bilateral level and on the global stage. A number of foreign and security policy issues, including building and consolidating peace, security and democracy in the African continent and at multilateral level were also raised. Leaders finally committed to work towards a prompt resolution of trade impediments affecting smooth trade flows. Full press release here.

(6/12) EU Budget 2019 deal: EP boosts support for researchers and the young. MEPs have fought for and obtained better support for students, unemployed youngsters and researchers, as well as additional funds to boost key initiatives supporting SMEs. Late on Tuesday evening, the negotiators from the European Parliament and the Council reached a provisional agreement on the 2019 EU Budget, a few days before the last plenary session of the year. The preliminary figures are €165.8 billion in commitment appropriations and €148.2 billion in payment appropriations. Detailed figures will be available later. Full press release here.

(3/12) Humanitarian visas would reduce refugees’ death toll. Asylum-seekers should be able to request humanitarian visas at EU embassies and consulates abroad, allowing them to access Europe safely, say Civil Liberties MEPs. With 37 votes to 10 and 3 abstentions, the Civil Liberties Committee agreed on Monday to ask the European Commission to table, by 31 March 2019, a legislative proposal establishing a European Humanitarian Visa. Holders would be allowed into Europe – only to the member state issuing the visa – for the sole purpose of submitting an application for international protection. MEPs stress that the EU lacks a harmonised framework of protected entry procedures for people seeking international protection and point out that, due to insufficient legal options, an estimated 90% of those granted refugee status or subsidiary protection reached the European Union through irregular means. Full press release here.

(3/12) New EU short-stay visas: more advantages for legitimate travellers. Simpler procedures for legitimate travellers and incentives for cooperating with the EU on migration are part of new rules on short-stay visas for non-EU nationals. Civil Liberties Committee MEPs backed, on Monday, changes to the EU Visa Code which establishes the procedures and conditions for issuing visas to nationals of more than one hundred non-EU countries travelling to the EU for short periods (up to 90 days in any 180-day period). The draft law was passed with 27 to 15 and 4 abstentions. MEPs partially endorsed the Commission’s proposal, aimed at facilitating legitimate travel for tourism, trade and business, whilst preventing irregular immigration and contributing to internal security. They made additional changes to further simplify procedures for bona fide travellers and ensure a positive link between visa and migration policy. Full press release here.

(30/11) The future of the ACP-EU partnership to be debated in Cotonou. ACP-EU plans post-Cotonou, the fight against cybercrime and terrorism in the Sahel, as well as climate change will dominate the debates of the 36th ACP-EU Parliamentary Assembly. From 3 to 5 December 2018, the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly (JPA) will gather members of the European Parliament and parliamentarians from 78 countries across Africa, the Caribbean and the Pacific (ACP) to meet in Cotonou, Benin. “Let us not lose sight of the three pillars of the Cotonou Agreement: development cooperation, economic and trade cooperation and the political dimension. We must avoid going backwards and, above all, avoid focussing only on economic aspects”, said Michèle RIVASI, Co-President of the ACP-EU JPA for the European Parliament. Full press release here.

(20/11) Employment MEPs want to ensure more flexibility and clarity for EU mobile workers. Updated rules for EU mobile workers aim to protect fair access to social security while distributing obligations fairly and fostering cooperation among member states. The modernised rules for coordinating social security systems, adopted by the Employment and Social Affairs Committee on Tuesday, focused on facilitating labour mobility while safeguarding rights in cross-border situations, by determining under which country’s system a person is insured (i.e. paying contributions and receiving benefits). Additionally, new provisions foster cooperation between member states so that the necessary information is promptly shared, ensuring workers’ access to social security and identifying error or fraud. Full press release here.

(14/11) Combatting terrorism: EP special committee calls for closer EU cooperation. Europol should become a true “hub” for information exchange and cooperation in the field of counter-terrorism at EU level, if necessary with a stronger mandate. The special committee on terrorism adopted on Tuesday evening its final report, which includes a wide set of measures that the EU should take as quickly as possible to improve its response to the terrorist threat. The draft report, approved with 23 votes to 2 with 5 abstentions and drafted by Monika Hohlmeier (EPP, DE) and Helga Stevens (ECR, BE), maps the existing gaps in counter-terrorism activities at EU level and puts forward a set of proposals to overcome these deficiencies and to strengthen cooperation between member states. Full press release here.

(13/11) MEPs call for EU rules to better protect minorities’ rights. In the face of persistent discrimination, Parliament calls for common rules to ensure that the rights of all national minorities are redressed and respected across the EU. MEPs call on the European Commission to draft a directive on minimum standards for minorities in the EU, including benchmarks and measures to stop member states discriminating against minorities. In a non-legislative resolution adopted on Tuesday with 489 votes to 112 and 73 abstentions, MEPs also call for a common definition of minorities and recommend adopting the definition set out in the European Convention on Human Rights (ECHR). Full press release here.

(30/11) Council agrees its position on new framework for EU research and innovation into the next decade. The Council today agreed its position (partial general approach) on the regulation on Horizon Europe. Horizon Europe is the next framework programme on research and innovation for the years 2021 to 2027. Today’s agreement does not cover the budgetary aspects of the draft regulation, given that the final amounts will depend on the agreement reached on the next Multiannual Financial Framework. A number of other issues of a horizontal nature have also been set aside pending progress in related files (e.g. InvestEU, Structural Funds). Today’s agreement on the Council’s position is an important step towards the adoption of the regulation together with the European Parliament. Full press release here.

(26/11) Global food security: Council adopts conclusions. The Council adopted conclusions on global food and nutrition security, which constitutes a major global challenge in the fight against poverty and growing inequality. The Council is extremely concerned that after decades of decline, global hunger has been on the rise for the last three years, with 821 million people suffering from hunger and malnutrition. The Council recalls the EU’s and its member states’ firm commitment to end hunger and all forms of malnutrition. Full press release here.

(26/11) Education in emergencies and crises: Council adopts conclusions. The Council adopted conclusions on education in emergencies and protracted crises. The Council expresses its grave concern that more than 75 million children affected by emergencies and protracted crises have no access to quality education. The Council is equally concerned that violence is on the increase in and around the education environment. Full press release here.

(26/11) Expanding and strengthening Erasmus+: Council agrees its position. The Council today adopted its position (partial general approach) on the Erasmus+ programme for 2021-2027. The proposed regulation will expand the offer of learning opportunities in Europe and beyond to more people compared to the current period. It will also be extended to include all levels of education and training. To underline its inclusive approach, the Council has maintained the current name of the programme “Erasmus+”. Today’s agreement does not cover the budgetary aspects of the draft regulation, since the final amounts will depend on the agreement reached on the next multiannual financial framework. Full press release here.

(20/11) Screening of investments: political agreement reached on an EU framework. The EU will soon be able to coordinate scrutiny of investments from third countries in strategic sectors to check that they do not threaten security or public order. The Presidency today reached a provisional agreement with European Parliament representatives on an EU framework for screening foreign direct investments (FDIs). The agreement will now be submitted for political endorsement by EU ambassadors. Full press release here.

(19/11) Ethiopia: Council adopts conclusions. On 19 November 2018, the Council adopted conclusions on Ethiopia. The Council notes that Ethiopia has witnessed momentous change and that political and economic reforms have gained a new impetus under the leadership of Prime Minister Abiy Ahmed. His ambitious agenda towards a more democratic and just Ethiopian society is a positive example for the region and beyond. The Council welcomes the commitment of the government of Ethiopia to multi-party democracy, respect for human rights, the rule of law and gender equality. The EU encourages the government to continue its efforts in this area and towards developing an inclusive dialogue with all stakeholders, including federal and regional authorities, opposition groups, civil society, youth groups and media, on sustainable solutions towards better governance, justice and accountability, elections, job creation, and security challenges. Read here the full text of the conclusions

(19/11) Somalia: EU training mission extended, budget agreed and mandate amended. The Council extended the mandate of EU military training mission EUTM Somalia until 31 December 2020 and agreed on a budget of €22.9 million for the period 1 January 2019 until 31 December 2020. The Council also slightly adapted the mission’s existing mandate of providing political and strategic level military advice to the Somali authorities and contributing to the development of the Somali National Army (SNA)’s own training capacity with a view to handing over training activities for tactical units once conditions are met. The mission continues to support Somali-owned and Somali-provided training. It also supports other actors in carrying out their respective mandates in the security and defence area in Somalia. Full press release here.

(19/11) Sudan: Council adopts conclusions. On 19 November 2018, the Council adopted conclusions on Sudan, which remains crucial for the peace and stability of the wider Horn of Africa. The Council reaffirms the EU’s readiness to engage in an evolving dialogue and cooperation with Khartoum, depending on progress shown by Sudan in committing to internal reforms, including human rights and good governance, facilitation of humanitarian assistance, sustainable peace and a constructive role in the region. Full press release here.

(19/11) EU budget for 2019: Conciliation ends without agreement. On 19 November 2018, the Council and the European Parliament ended negotiations on the EU budget for 2019 without agreement. The two arms of the budgetary authority concluded that they were not able to bridge their differences by midnight – the legal deadline laid down in the treaties. Full press release here.

(28/11) FRA – Being black in the EU often means racism, poor housing and poor jobs. Black people in the EU face unacceptable difficulties in simply finding somewhere to live or getting a decent job because of their skin colour, according to findings from a major repeat survey by the European Union Agency for Fundamental Rights. Racist harassment also remains all too common. Full press release here.

(27/11) EIB – Financial Inclusion: The EIB provides up to EUR 3 million for CoopMed Fund. The European Investment Bank (EIB) has signed a financing agreement with the CoopMed Fund for the subscription of USD denominated senior bond tranches up to the equivalent of EUR 3 million. CoopMed is a debt fund supporting financial inclusion in the Mediterranean region. The EIB financing would support up to 350,000 final beneficiaries, of which 43% are women. The new loan was signed under the Southern Neighbourhood MicrofinanceRisk Capital Facility, a EUR 71.3 million facility which supports investments in microfinance markets in Southern Neighborhood countries. The facility blends EIB’s own resources with the European Commission resources under the Neighborhood Investment Facility. Full press release here.

(27/11) EASO – EASO’s Management Board adopts 2019 work programme. The 30th meeting Management Board of the European Asylum Support Office (EASO) met in Vienna at the premises of the Austrian Ministry of the Interior to discuss the ongoing implementation of the Agency’s Governance Action Plan and adopt its 2019 work programme. The meeting was the last to be chaired by Mag. Wolfgang Taucher, Director of the Austrian Federal Office for Aliens and Asylum (BMI), as his term is soon to expire after a total of eight years of service to EASO. Full press release here.

(23/11) EIB – New European support for Kenyan private sector and East Africa-wide funds. At a ceremony in Nairobi today, the European Investment Bank has announced four new projects it will support in Kenya and the wider East-African region. The four projects will receive loans worth of USD 78 million, a large part of which will be disbursed in Kenyan Shillings, to minimize the risk of currency volatility for the Bank’s counterparts. Full press release here.

(22/11) EIB – EIB supports jobs and climate action across Africa with new EUR 200 million loan to Afreximbank. On the margins of its Africa Day in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the European Investment Bank has signed a new fifteen year EUR 200 million loan agreement with the African Export-Import Bank (Afreximbank), aimed at supporting trade-related productive investments, including in renewable energy projects, in Africa. The facility will support promoters in more than 40 countries across Africa with long-term funding. Full press release here.

(22/11) EIB – New 30 million EUR loan for women entrepreneurs in Ethiopia: supporting economic growth and gender equity. At its Africa Day in Addis Ababa, the European Investment Bank signed today a new loan with the Ethiopian Ministry of Finance and Economic Cooperation to further boost female economic inclusion and empowerment across the country. The EIB will provide a EUR 30 million long term loan to the Ethiopia Women Entrepreneurship Development Project (WEDP) also funded by the World Bank (WB), which supports micro and small enterprises owned or partly owned by women entrepreneurs. This will address a major obstacle, especially for women encountering a lack of access to finance for their firms. They are often excluded by commercial banks due to the relatively small loan size they need and the excessive collateral requirements (cf. study). Full press release here.

(22/11) EIB – New EIB study on banking in Africa: delivering on financial inclusion, supporting financial stability. During its Africa Day in the Ethiopian capital, Addis Ababa, the European Investment Bank released today its new study: ‘Banking in Africa: Delivering on Financial Inclusion, Supporting Financial Stability’. In its fourth edition, this economic report analyses recent development in the African banking sectors, including through a survey of African banking groups, addresses structural issues and investment opportunities for the continent and proposes policy options for all stakeholders. The report also portrays the state of bank recovery and resolution laws in Africa and maps out policy options to finance infrastructure development. Finally the study explains the type of financial support and technical assistance that the EIB can offer to financial sectors in Africa. Full press release here.

(16/11) EIB – Advans Côte d’Ivoire, an Ivorian microfinance institution, wins the European Microfinance Award for “Financial Inclusion through Technology”. The €100,000 prize, awarded for the 9th time by the Luxembourg Ministry of Foreign and European Affairs, was given this year to Advans Côte d’Ivoire (CI) at a ceremony hosted by the European Investment Bank in Luxembourg. The 2018 Award recognises a financial services provider that uses technology, transparently and securely, to offer microfinance clients new possibilities for loans, savings, insurances and fund transfers and to ensure the efficiency of its back-office procedures. Full press release here.

(15/11) EIB – EIB and UNIDO join forces to boost sustainable and inclusive industrialisation across Africa. The European Investment Bank (EIB) and the United Nations Industrial Development Organization (UNIDO) are hosting the Africa Day on 22 November in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Senior members of the Ethiopian government will join experts and policymakers from across Africa and Europe to lead discussions on opportunities for growth and diversification. They will explore ways to break down barriers and support the inclusive industrialisation of Africa. At the core of the Africa Day agenda is how industry in Africa can further attract investment and more diverse markets in Europe and Africa itself. Key to the discussions will be how to offer more job creating opportunities for young people and women – particularly in the field of entrepreneurship. The event will gather chief executives, financial officers, government representatives, entrepreneurs, academics, nongovernmental groups and civil society leaders from Africa and Europe and offer them a platform to build new partnerships, reinforce old ones and find new ways to help the continent. Full press release here.

(15/11) Eurostat – Personal transfers in the EU – Amounts sent to non-EU countries by EU residents up at €32.7 billion in 2017 – Amounts received from non-EU countries at €10.7 bn. In 2017, flows of money sent by residents of the European Union (EU) to non-EU countries, referred to as personal transfers, amounted to €32.7 billion, compared with €31.8 bn in 2016. Inflows to the EU totalled €10.7 bn in 2017, compared with €10.1 bn in 2016. This resulted in a negative balance (-€22.0 bn) for the EU with the rest of the world. The majority of personal transfers consist of flows of money sent by migrants to their country of origin. Full press release here.

(30/11) ECRE – Children in Migration: Collateral Damage? Despite harsher approaches to refugees and migrants in Europe there is an almost universal view that children should be exempt from restrictive measures, even among those who are hostile towards migration in general. The Convention on the Rights of the Child (CRC) provides the international legal standards governing states’ treatment of all children, regardless of migratory status and all EU Member States are party to it. Yet, despite the rhetoric, intentions and legal standards, preliminary research from the ChildMove project presented at an MPI event in Brussels this week, provides empirical evidence for what has been increasingly exposed in recent years: 100,000s of children migrating to and within Europe are suffering in dire circumstances as a result of Europe’s policies and actions. Full press release here.

(30/11) ECRE – The Struggle Continues for Civilian Search and Rescue in the Med. Released after being detained in Malta for four months, the search and rescue vessel Sea-Watch 3 is returning to its mission as part of a joint fleet alongside the Spanish organisation Open Arms and Italian partner Mediterranea. With the Aquarius chartered by Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) and SOS Mediterranee still detained in Marseille under threat of seizure from Italian authorities, the civilian search and rescue presence is under pressure while the loss of life in the Mediterranean climbs above 2000 in 2018. Full press release here.

(20/11) EuroChild – Two out of three children in Europe feel positive about migrants, says UNICEF-Eurochild survey (via Social Platform). Sixty-eight per cent of children and adolescents in over 20 European countries feel welcoming and curious towards people from different nationalities living in their country, according to the findings of an online survey released today by UNICEF and Eurochild. Tolerance and equal treatment of migrants, regardless of religion, culture or language, featureprominently in the results of the opinion poll. The survey also shows that children and young people aged 10 and above are worried about not finding a job in the future, particularly in Italy, Serbia, Spain, Ireland and Bulgaria. 74 per cent of respondents said that schools are not preparing them well enough for the next stages of their lives. The ´Europe Kids Want´ online survey was developed by children’s rights experts and tested with children before being launched in June this year. In total, nearly 14,000 children and young people from 23 countries participated in the survey during four months, providing over 38,000 responses to topics such as school safety, climate change, family environment and online behavior. The poll remains open and is available in 29 languages.

(16/11) ECRE – Detainees Evacuated out of Libya but Resettlement Capacity Remains Inadequate.According to the United Nations Refugee Agency (UNHCR) 262 migrants detained in Libya were evacuated to Niger on November 12- the largest evacuation from Libya carried out to date. In addition to a successful airliftof 135 people in October this year, this brings the total number of people evacuated to more than 2000 since December 2017. However Amnesty International describes the resettlement process from Niger as slow and the number of pledges inadequate. The evacuations in October and November were the first since June when the Emergency Transit Mechanism (ETM) centre in Niger reached its full capacity of 1,536 people, which according to Amnesty was a result of a large number of people “still waiting for their permanent resettlement to a third country.” Full press release here.